It's hard getting old

So I have my speech prepared, for... "So who have been your influences musically?" Or, "Who did you listen to growing up?" Here it is:

"Karen Carpenter, Julie Andrews, and Whitney Houston. I try to take something from all of them. They are all very different, but the one thing they have in common, is when they sing, it seems to just fall out."

Karen was so beautiful, and taken from us way to soon. I think she is the one I try to sing most like. I have been told, I sound like her. It's the best compliment I can get!

Last week when I sang the National Anthem, I looked up Whitney singing it at the Super Bowl. Oh my...It makes me cry every time. I try to get some of her power, too bad she can't give me some! ;)

Amy sent this to me today:

To commemorate her birthday , actress/vocalist, Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan 's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP. One of the musical numbers she performed was "My Favorite Things" from the legendary movie "Sound Of Music". Here are the lyrics she used:

(Sing It!) - If you sing it, its especially hysterical!!!

Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favorite things .

Cadillacs and cataracts ,and hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favorite things.

When the pipes leak, When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favorite things ,
And then I don't feel so bad.
Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,
When we remember our favorite things.

When the joints ache, When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Ms. Andrews received a standing ovation from the crowd that lasted over four minutes and repeated encores.


When I was living in California in 1991, I had the opportunity to play Maria in The Sound of Music. It was truly a dream come true. I watched the movie over and over, trying to be just like Julie Andrews. This morning I dug out the video, and Emma keeps saying..."You are so skinny!" She runs to me, and points..."BIG!" Then runs back to the TV. "LITTLE!" *rolling eyes*

Now... here's me singing it, the right way!



I share this with you for a couple reasons. When I first read the silly Julie Andrews version, I thought it was SO funny. Then I realized, how old my idol is...then I MUST BE OLD TOO!!!!! So I put the video on, to prove I was once young and SKINNY!!!!

ugh...Thanks a lot AMY!!!! ;)